CUTJ^AGE. 



53 



Fig. 46. Root cutting of Blackberry. 



leaves, inserted in sand in a frame, will soon produce little bulb- 

 lets at their base, and these can be removed and planted in the 



same manner as the bulbels 

 described in Chapter II. 



Many tubers or tuber-like 

 portions, which possess a 

 very moist or soft interior 

 and a hard or close covering, 

 vegetate more satisfactorily if allowed to dry for a time before 

 planting. The pseudo-bulbs of orchids, crowns of pine-apples 

 and cuttings of cactuses are examples. Portions of cactuses 

 and pine-apples are sometimes allowed to lie in the sun from 

 two to four weeks before planting. This treatment dissipates 

 the excessive moisture and induces the formation of adventitious 

 buds. 



2. Root Cuttings. Many plants can be multiplied with ease 

 by means of short cuttings of the roots, particularly all species 

 which posses a natural tendency to "sucker" or send up sprouts 



from the root. All 

 root-stocks or un- 

 derground stems 

 can be made into 

 cuttings. True root 

 cuttings possess no 

 buds whatever; 

 the buds develop 

 after the cutting is 

 planted Roots 

 are cut into pieces 

 from one to three 

 inches long and are 

 planted horizon- 

 tally in soil or moss. 



These cuttings 

 Fig. 47- Root cutting of Dracaena. ^.^ begt wjth 



bottom heat, but blackberries and some other plants, grow readily 

 with ordinary out-door treatment. A root cutting of the black- 



